Bush And Karzai On Extremism

Following his meeting in Washington with Afghan President Hamid Karzai, President George W. Bush told Mr. Karzai that the United States and its allies in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization will continue to help Afghanistan defeat the remnants of the Taliban, al-Qaida, and other extremists:

"Forces from dozens of nations, including every member of NATO, are supporting the democratic government of Afghanistan. The American people are providing money to help send our troops to your country, Mr. President, and so are a lot of other nations around the world. This is a multinational effort to help you succeed. Your people have rejected extremism. Afghan forces are fighting bravely for the future of Afghanistan, and many of your forces have given their lives."

The fighting in Afghanistan, said Mr. Bush, is part of a "global struggle":

"Recently, British forces killed a longtime terrorist affiliated with al-Qaida named Omar Farouk. Farouk was active in Bosnia and Southeast Asia. He was captured in Indonesia. He escaped from prison in Afghanistan. He was killed hiding in Iraq. Every victory in the war on terror enhances the security of free peoples everywhere."

President Karzai also said that the extremist threat is global:

"These extremist forces were killing people in Afghanistan and around for years, closing schools, burning mosques, killing children, uprooting vineyards with vine trees, grapes hanging on them, forcing populations to poverty and misery. They came to America on September 11th, but they were attacking you before September 11 in other parts of the world. . . .That's why we need more action around the world, in Afghanistan and elsewhere, to get them defeated. Extremism, their allies, terrorists and the likes of them."

President Bush said that he and President Karzai reaffirmed their "strong commitment to work together for peace and freedom."

The preceding was an editorial reflecting the views of the United States Government.